What does a catering assistant do?

A catering assistant helps prepare and serve food and keeps the kitchen and dining areas clean. The exact duties depend on the setting, such as a school, hospital, care home or event.

Do I need a food hygiene certificate?

Employers expect you to handle food safely, and a Level 2 food hygiene certificate shows you know how. Some will arrange the training when you start.

Can I apply with no catering experience?

Yes. Experience in shops, cafés or care work can count. Show that you are reliable, tidy and comfortable serving people.

Catering assistant CV example

A strong catering assistant CV shows that you can prepare and serve food safely, keep counters and kitchens clean and work well with a small team. It should mention food hygiene, allergen care and the type of setting, such as a school, hospital or works canteen.

Amara Okafor

Catering assistant

amara@example.com · 07700 900143 · Nottingham

Profile

Cheerful and dependable catering assistant with three years of experience serving meals and keeping kitchens clean in a school canteen and a hospital café. Follows food hygiene and allergen rules carefully and is at ease serving large numbers of people quickly. Holds a Level 2 food hygiene certificate and an enhanced DBS check.

Experience

Catering Assistant

a large secondary school canteen serving around 600 pupils

Served hot meals and snacks during two lunch breaks, working quickly and accurately

Prepared salads, sandwiches and vegetables for the day's menu following the cook's instructions

Checked allergen information for each dish and helped pupils with special diets choose safe meals

Used the school's cashless payment system and helped pupils who had problems with their accounts

Cleaned counters, tables, equipment and floors to the required hygiene standard

Catering Assistant (weekends)

a hospital café

Served hot drinks, sandwiches and light meals to visitors, patients and staff

Restocked fridges, displays and condiments before each busy period

Helped take in deliveries and stored them correctly

Kept the dining area clean, including emptying bins and wiping tables

Key skills

Serving hot and cold foodFood hygiene Level 2Allergen awarenessBasic food preparationTill and cashless payment systemsCleaning and sanitisingStock rotationCustomer serviceWorking to service timesManual handling

Example · fictional candidate · Bloom design · Use this design

Tips for a catering assistant CV

Name the type of setting and the number of people you served, such as a school, hospital or works canteen
List your food hygiene certificate and any allergen training
Mention till, cashless payment and cash handling experience
Show that you can work quickly during short, busy service times
If you worked in a school or hospital, mention your DBS check where relevant
Give your availability, such as term-time hours or weekend shifts

Applying with a cover letter? See our catering assistant cover letter example.